Staff Profile

Career Summary

Biography

Alan Brichta is a neurobiologist with research interests in the anatomy and physiology of peripheral and central vestibular system. In particular, his studies have focused on vestibular hair cells and their associated primary afferents and has recently developed an isolated preparation of the mouse inner ear to study these unusual cellular components. This approach allows stable, high-resolution, intracellular recordings whilst the tissue undergoes near 'natural' (mechanical), rather than artificial (electrical) stimulation. Results from these studies are helping us understand the cellular mechanisms underlying normal and abnormal function associated with the peripheral vestibular apparatus. In addition, Dr. Brichta is studying vestibular nucleus neurons in the brainstem that are the major recipients of transmitted vestibular organ output. These regions are thought to be highly modifiable and may prove to be ideal targets for rational therapeutic strategies aimed at treating balance disorders. Dr. Brichta was awarded a prestigious five year Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation Senior/Principal Research Fellowship.

Qualifications

PhD, Ohio University - USA

Bachelor of Science (Anatomy), University of New South Wales

Research

Research keywords

Electrophysiology

Spinal Cord

Vestibular system

Research expertise

Vestibular electrophysiological and anatomical techniques, including whole-cell patch-clamp recordings together with intracellular labelling and immunohistochemistry. Experience with in vivo and in vitro preparations.

Collaboration

In addition to his own studies on the vestibular system, Dr. Brichta has had a long-term collaboration with his good friend and colleague, Dr. Bob Callister. Together they have had over thirty years of collaborative efforts on sensory and motors systems.

Administrative

Administrative expertise

Former member of Academic Senate and Faculty Board during a period of major change in teaching and learning at the University. Attracted significant equipment funding to the EM /X-Ray Unit by successfully applying for ARC-LEIF grant. Submission of Anatomy discipline Roadmap for Medical School Accreditation Committee. Contributed to the development of the new Bachelor of Podiatry Program. Provided Biomedical Science input with regard to course provisions and assessment of background course pre-requisites. Member of Faculty Library Committee during a difficult fiscal period that resulted in significant cuts in printed journal subscriptions. Member of NHMRC Grant Review Panel. External Ph.D. Examiner of Ph.D candidates.

Teaching

Teaching keywords

Anatomy

Neuroscience

Teaching expertise

Teaching expertise in anatomy, neuroanatomy, and neurosicence. Major

reorganisation of core anatomy courses in 2005 to B. Medicine, B.

Biomed Sci, B. Health Sciences, including Medical Radiation Science,

Physiotherapy, Oral Health, and B. Speech Pathology. Developed three

new specialist subjects: Oral Health, Speech Pathology, and Neural

Visceral Anatomy. Re-designed second semester Neuroanatomy block

for Medicine. Course co-ordinator for first semester MEDI 2012 Medical

Sciences. Attended U Queensland The teaching of anatomical

sciences into health professions Seminar. Hosted the Universitys first

US Fulbright Scholarr. Instigated the first use of video-lecturing with

This is the first paper to identify a novel form of synaptic communication between hair cells and their associated unique calyx (cup-like) nerve terminals. In addition to the normal fast excitatory neurotransmitter, glutamate, we confirmed that potassium is also used as an unusual means of cellular communication between hair cell and terminal. This work was cited in the prestigious Annual Review of Neuroscience 2012.

Hübner PP, Lim R, Brichta AM, Migliaccio AA, 'Glycine Receptor Deficiency and Its Effect on the Horizontal Vestibulo-ocular Reflex: a Study on the SPD1J Mouse', Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology, 14 249-259 (2013) [C1]

This is the first paper to identify a novel form of synaptic communication between hair cells and their associated unique calyx (cup-like) nerve terminals. In addition to the normal fast excitatory neurotransmitter, glutamate, we confirmed that potassium is also used as an unusual means of cellular communication between hair cell and terminal. This work was cited in the prestigious Annual Review of Neuroscience 2012.

Lee H-Y, Callister RJ, Brichta AM, 'Morphophysiology of Vestibular Afferents Recorded from an In Vitro Preparation of the Mouse Inner Ear', Abstracts of the Twenty-Fourth Annual Midwinter Research Meeting of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology, 0 124 (2001) [C3]

Callister RJ, Brichta AM, Graham BA, 'Beyond the dorsal horn: The use of animal models to discover new sites for pain therapy', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, Newcastle, NSW (2008) [E3]